Statement by Ambassador Wang Min at the Launch Event of the UNDP Report "Leveraging Change for Better Lives: UNDP in Asia and the Pacific"

2013/09/11

Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan,

Assistant Administrator Haoliang Xu,

Dear Colleagues,

At the outset, let me congratulate the UNDP on the launch of the report entitled “Leveraging Change for Better Lives: UNDP in Asia and the Pacific”. I also wish to offer my congratulations to Mr. Haoliang Xu for his assumption of the important post as the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director for Asia and the Pacific.

Dear Colleagues,

As the biggest UN development agency, the UNDP has worked actively with the international community to meet global development challenges. Focusing on the core issue of development, UNDP has made positive progress in its unremitting effort to help all countries, especially those in Asia and the Pacific, shake off poverty, realize the MDGs and achieve sustainable development. The Chinese government appreciates UNDP’s endeavors.

The report launched today epitomizes UNDP’s efforts and substantive progress over the past five years in supporting the development of relevant countries in Asia and the Pacific through the implementation of country programs designed to meet their development needs. China believes that these are positive efforts and achievements. We are glad to see that the achievements and experience of China’s cooperation with the UNDP on energy efficiency and green illumination are included and shared in this report.

Dear Colleagues,

I wish to take this opportunity to further brief you on the comprehensive cooperation between the Chinese government and the UNDP. Generally speaking, our cooperation went through two phases.

The first phase began in 1979 when the Chinese government entered into cooperative relations with the UNDP, in the same year when China launched its reform and opening up endeavor. Over the past 30 years and more, under the UN development framework, our two sides have carried out effective cooperation in a variety of areas including poverty alleviation, agriculture, industry, energy, environmental protection and women’s development through the implementation of UNDP’s country program for China.

In 2010, the Chinese government and the UNDP signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation, marking the start of the second phase of their cooperation. With this MOU, the long-standing cooperation was further deepened based on past experience accumulated and an important step was made in the active exploration for a new type of cooperation model.

Under the framework of the MOU, the Chinese government works with the UNDP in carrying out pilot cooperation projects with third countries. Through trilateral cooperation under the framework of South-South cooperation, such projects will introduce China’s development experience, and help other developing countries eradicate poverty and realize development. In 2011, with the consent of the Cambodian government, China and the UNDP funded and successfully carried out the first trilateral cooperation project on farming. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the three sides, the second phase of the project has been officially launched. China and the UNDP will take stock of the successful stories and solidify the exciting outcomes. On that basis, we will continue to advance such trilateral cooperation by introducing more areas and forms of cooperation.

While identifying trilateral cooperation projects with the UNDP, the Chinese government mainly has three factors in mind. First, the will of the government of the third country involved in the project should be fully respected. Second, the project should give full play to the synergy of China and the UNDP in terms of experience and resources. Third, the outcome of the project should bring maximum benefit to all the three sides.

In the new development phase, China has continued to support UNDP’s efforts for international development cooperation. The Chinese government makes annual contribution to UNDP’s core resources, and such contribution is increasing. In 2013, the Chinese government accumulatively donated 6 million dollars to the UNDP and the funds it manages, and GLOC rose to 3 million RMB Yuan.

Talking about China’s cooperation with the UNDP in this phase, I wish to stress the following points. As a major developing country, China is ready to take up its responsibility in international affairs. As its economy expands, China will play an increasingly bigger role in international affairs. We will take a more active part in international governance and do our best to provide international public goods. We will share our poverty reduction experience with fellow developing countries and offer them assistance to the best of our capability. We will also assume our due share of responsibility for a strong, sustainable and balanced world economy. However, China is still a developing country. We still have over 100 million people who are still living under the poverty line by international standards. China’s modernization remains a long and uphill journey. China still needs continued support and help from the UNDP.

At present, the China government and the UNDP are working jointly to implement the 7th cycle, namely the 2011-2015 Country Program for China. The core purpose of this program is to give active support to the Chinese government in the implementation of the 12th Five Year Plan, and promote coordinated economic and social development and a harmonious society in China. Cooperation priorities are poverty reduction, the environment, sustainable development and South-South cooperation.

Dear colleagues,

China will give continued support for a bigger role of the UNDP in helping developing countries eradicate poverty and realize comprehensive, balanced and sustainable development. The Chinese government will further deepen its cooperation with the UNDP under the framework of the MOU on Strengthening Cooperation.